Ash tray



Oct. 6, 1942. V c, MERSBACH 2,298,146

ASH TRAY Filed June 30, 1938 Patented Oct. 6, 1942 2;298,146 ASH may Clarence M. Mersbach, Chicago, Ill. Application June 30, 1938, Serial No. 216,709

1 Claim.

This invention relates to ash trays and the like and, among other objects, aims to provide a cheap but distinctive article of this character which may, if desired, be discarded after use.

The nature of the invention may be readily understood by reference to one illustrative device embodying the invention as "shown in the accompanying drawing.

In said drawing:

Fi 1 is a perspective view of the ash tray;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blank from which the ash tray may be formed; and

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the lin 33 of Fig.2.

The illustrative ash tray is characterized by improve the ash retaining capacity of the tray and at the same time present surfaces for advertising matter arranged at an angle for maximum eye appeal.

The tray is advantageously made of materials and in such manner as to permit production at very low cost and thereby make it practicable to discard the same after use. Nevertheless, its character is such as to permit of easy and attractivedecoration which may be designed to serve various purposes. 'Cheapness is attained inwardly inclined sides which very substantially in the illustrative tray by making it from heavy paper or cardboard on which may be directly printed colors, appropriate designs and advertising messages. To render the tray resistant to hot and burning ashes and particularly to prevent scorching of table linen, etc., by transmission of heat through the tray, th cardboard or paper material from whichthe tray is made is advantageously faced with thin metal foil 24.

Aluminum is a particularly advantageous material because it may be produced in very thin sheets (as thin as .0005 inch) and remains bright, thereby having a high heat reflective efficiency. If'desired, both faces of the material'may be faced with metal foil, as shown at 24 in Fig. 3,

because of its decorative value. For cheaper trays, only th inner face of the tray need be covered with the metal foil. The foil is applied to the paper or cardboard base during manufacture of the stock and may be very firmly cemented thereto so that in subsequent fabrication there is no tendency for the foil to loosen.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated one form of blank designed for producing a triangular ash tray. The inner triangle l0 represents the base of the ash tray. The margins ll represent the sides of the ash tray and are provided adjacent their respective ends with tabs l2 and slots l3, the 55 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE latter being designed to receive the locking tongues l4 projecting from the tabs. Perferably the blank is provided with score or fold lines l5 for the sides and similar lines It to facilitate bending of the tabs l2.

The trays are advantageously shipped flat to permit compact packaging and are assembled by the user when desired. In assembling it is necessary simply to bend the sides into inclined position relative to th base, fold the tabs l2 around the end edges I! of the sides, and tuck the tongues I4 from the outside into the slots IS. The tongues M are advantageously notched as at l8 and catch on the inner face of the side at the corner IQ of the slot. The slots l3 advantageously are provided with an angular extremity 20 which facilitates insertion of the tongue, such insertion occurring with a rotative movement of the sides about the lines IS.

The extremities l1 and the fold lines l6 are so designed as to permit the sides when assembled to incline inwardly at a substantial angle so as inwardly to overhang the interior of the tray andthereby prevent scattering of the light ashes by air currents and gusts of wind. This feature very materially contributes in preventing the highly objectionable nuisance of scattered tobacco ashes. At the same time the inwardly inclined outer faces 2| of the trays are arranged at such angle to the eye of one seated at a table on which the tray rests as to present advertising matter 22 on the exterior face of the sides to maximum advantage. While advertising matter may also be placed on the bottom of the tray or even on the inside faces of the sides, it is obvious that in use such advertising matter will be quickly obscured byashes and cigarettes.

If a stiffer material, such as sheet metal, be

used, it may be possible in some instances to disinwardly inclined sides may also advantageously -15 be incorporated in stamped or cast ash trays.

The ash tray may be made with three, four or any number of sides. A triangular tray, however, possesses a number of distinct advantages. It may be assembled more quickly since there are but three tabs to interlock. In conjunction with the inwardly inclined sides, it is highly eflicient in retaining ashes inasmuch as the corners of the tray, embracing, as they do, an angle of only about 60, form a sheltered pocket more completely protected against air currents which 'tional tray.

2" I aaaaue tatlon oi advertising messages. It shouldbe undesisne maydislodgetheashesthantrwshavlngagreater number of sides.

I'lie inwardly inclined sides converging at an acute angle (generally 60 for a shape) are particularly eillcient in supporting pipes in the ash tray. The bowl oi the pipe, regardless of its shape (and pipe bowls have almost an infinite variety of shapes) is securely held by engagement of the converging upper edges of the tray. The facility with which a pipe is thus supported is in marked contrast to the conventional ash tray with outwardly inclined shallow sides. It is practically impossible to support a lighted pipe upright in the conven- The' severe damage I to table linen, etc., caused by hot ashes irom pipes deposited on their sides iswholly prevented by the present tray.

a triangular tray with inwardly inclined sides can be more easily inserted in odd spaces than ,a tray 0! any other shape and particularly trays It has been found also that on crowded tables derstood, however. that they may be without advertising matter and instead may carry decorations. or personal matter, such as monograms, etc.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the details of the illustrative device since these may be variously modified. Moreover it is not indispensable that all features of the invention be used conjointly since'various features may be used to advantage in diilerent combinations and sub-combinations.

Having described my invention, I claim:

A discardable ash tray open at the top and formed from a single blank 01 flexible relatively stifl paper or the like raced on both surfaces with bright heat-reflecting metal foil, said toil functioning to prevent tron of damaging heat to a surface supporting the tray, said tray having a polygonal bottom and having its side walls inclined inwardly so as to overhang said bottom to form with said bottom acute-angled pockets in the corners of the tray for preventing displacement of ashes by air currents and the like,

said inclined walls each lying in a single plane and having adjacent their ends interlocking tabs and slots for holding said walls in inwardly inclined position.

CLARENCE M. MERBBACH. 

